These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.
Shell confirms it is leaving South Africa
Shell has officially announced that it will divest its shareholdings in Shell Downstream South Africa and sell more than 600 local service stations.
This follows an alleged dispute with its BEE partner, Thebe Investment Corporation, and the closure of its KwaZulu-Natal-based refinery.
It is expected that Shell will leave behind a smaller sub-brand called Viva Energy to manage its franchise while finding an outside investor to take majority ownership.
VW Polo Sedan gets new engine and model in South Africa
VW has added a new engine to its Polo sedan series in South Africa.
The engine is a turbocharged 1.0-litre with better performance and efficiency than the existing 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated units.
The elongated Polo also received a new top-spec trim level that adds additional features.
2 new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro models launched in South Africa
Chery has launched two new models for the Tiggo 4 Pro in South Africa based on customer feedback.
The two units feature a new six-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox, in contrast to the CVT used by the other self-shifting options.
The new crossovers also benefit from an expanded spec sheet, including a new centre console with an improved infotainment screen.
The next-generation Suzuki Swift could launch in South Africa by October
The next-gen Suzuki Swift has already gone on sale in India, indicating that it could reach South Africa within the next five months.
This is based on previous models like the Fronx and Jimny 5-door, which had a similar waiting period after their Indian debut.
The hatchback is expected to retain its 1.2-litre engine, but has been made more efficient with the addition of fuel-saving measures like a Stop/Start function.
The 8 best cars in South Africa right now
The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the winners of the 2024 Car of the Year competition.
The competition started with 80 models, which was whittled to down a final list of eight winners.
The list of categories includes Budget/Compact, Compact Family, Family, Premium, Adventure SUV, 4×4 Double Cab, Luxury, and Performance.
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